UK SCOFA Event - 11 October 1997

Over the last few years, I have read about the regular fans meetings in France and Holland and often wondered why Britain's most consistent and long-lived rock instrumental group didn't get a similar response in their own country. Therefore, when Jim Nugent first announced that his proposed "SCOFA EVENT" in London, to celebrate Ian and Anne Kershaw's UK visit, was definitely going ahead, I immediately posted off my cash. As soon as I got my tickets, I booked a room at the Bonnington Hotel having decided to take my wife Sue, and daughter Alison, and turn it into a London weekend sightseeing break. After what had seemed a decade of anticipation, the big weekend finally arrived and so after leaving work on Friday evening, we packed our bags and joined the Manchester to London train arriving at the Bonnington around 11pm.

Following a hearty English breakfast at the hotel on Saturday morning, we ventured out to be greeted by grey skies and a steady drizzle so the sightseeing was abandoned in favour of a trip to the Oxford Street shops. Rather than easing as we had hoped, the rain simply became heavier and so the afternoon saw us take shelter in the Victoria and Albert museum but by the time we returned to the hotel, we were thoroughly soaked - don't anyone moan about Manchester weather again! The rain couldn't dampen our spirts however as the main event was now about to take place.

After changing into dry clothes, we were met in the hotel lobby by Christophe Chen, mon ami francaise, who introduced us to Bernard Broche, president of the French fan club. I was also pleased to find Jet and Jan Harris with Lol Jones of the Diamonds already in the bar (drinking gallons of tea). The event itself took place in one of the hotel's meeting rooms on the lower ground floor.

At the rear of the room were stalls manned by John and Pat Read of Leo's Den and the UB Hank club as well as another stall selling Burns and Local Heroes memorabilia. Wallet lighter and carrier bag heavier with CDs, we found a seat and again I was delighted to find that I was seated next to Giorgio Sguina of the Italian fan club, another gentleman with whom I have exchanged correspondence but never previously met. By this time, Alan Hawkshaw had already arrived and was mixing with the fans, happy to sign autographs and talk music or discuss his web page with anyone. Next, was Brian Locking who not only signed my copy of the Local Heroes CD but also thanked me for the work I had put into his page. Shortly after, Warren Bennett arrived. By this time, the room was becoming more crowded and Warren was very busy but was able to spare a few minutes to talk.

Bruce arrived whilst the first group "Evening Shadows" were doing their sound checks. I have never heard or seen this group before but have read glowing reports about them in Shadsfax and Pipeline and so was eager to hear them for myself.

	The group concentrates mainly on numbers from the first two Shadows albums and lesser-known B-sides. As soon as they started their first number, "Big Boy", it was clear that they have practised hard to get that authentic "Shadows" sound and we sat down to enjoy the rest of their set: Big Boy/ Man of Mystery/ Shadoogie/ Sleepwalk/ It's a Man's World/ Las Tres Carabelas/ Atlantis, Tales of A Raggy Tramline/ My Resistance is Low/ Find me a Golden Street/ The Frightened City,
It was a real treat to hear tunes such as Big Boy, Raggy Tramline, My Resistance is Low etc in a live setting. It's a bit of a cliché, but if you closed your eyes, you really could imagine that the Shadows were playing again. Bruce obviously rates the group very highly, showing his appreciation by joining in with the audience's enthusiastic applause and the group's stage banter.
	To complete the first session, they introduced their vocalist Jerry Richards who appeared (as Cliff) on the TV show "Stars in their Eyes". He proceeded to provide vocals on a very enjoyable run through The Young Ones/ Got a Funny Feelin'/ Please don't Tease/ Gee Whiz it's You, capturing very well the style of a young Cliff Richard.
During the interval, most of the audience retired to the bar to cool down, seek refreshment (and watch the last 10 minutes before half-time of the Italy-England match on the large screen TV - Bruce's passion for football is well known). Chance to meet briefly with Cliff Hall and Clem Cattinni.

The Evening Shadows' second set, was all too brief but non the less enjoyable: Gonzales/ Theme for Young Lovers/ Bosaroo/ Tonight/ Back Home/ The Stranger, were met with more enthusiastic appreciation before they brought back Jerry Richards to finish off with Living Doll/ A Girl Like You/ Move it. Demands for an encore were answered by a rousing run through Apache.

At this stage in the evening, there was an extended interval which gave Ian chance to express his thanks, after which, many of us went back up to the bar for the conclusion of England match.

The evening was rounded off in style by the Local Heroes. As with Evening Shadows, I hadn't heard them live before, having missed the 1996 Pipeline convention but after reading Christophe Chen's reports from Nogent and Eindhoven, I was expecting something special. Again I wasn't disappointed!

The Heroes began their with Flingel Bunt, Sacha, Nut Rocker and Shadoogie (complete with intricate footwork and "Shadows Walk" from Alan and Barry). As the applause for Shadoogie died down, Alan introduced "his hero" Jet Harris who took over the bass duties for Apache, Nivram, Frightened City and Kon-Tiki. At the end of Jet's spot, Alan returned to announce Time is Tight featuring Cliff Hall's keyboard wizardry. After this, Barry Gibson showed that he can play as well as make guitars as he produced an excellent solo on The Deerhunter despite a heavily bandaged finger (according to Clem Cattini, this was the result of a run-in with a cat earlier in the evening). Then it was Clem's turn to display his talents on Wipeout before he came to the front of the stage to announce Telstar. Blue Sky, Blue Sea, Blue Me was next and then Alan Jones introduced another of his "heroes", Brian 'Licorice' Locking. Once again, Alan took a rest so that Brian could display his talents on bass guitar for Dance On and Wonderful Land before Alan returned to his bass duties whilst Brian played his harmonica masterpiece Dakota. Argentina was followed by Brian introducing the last number in his spot, Atlantis. After Brian had departed the stage, Cliff Hall was again featured on Chariots of Fire. The Heroes then chose two rousing numbers to round off the evening: Riders in the Sky and The Savage. This last number was made even more memorable as their guitars were specially illuminated for the occasion.

Well, what a great evening. Our heartfelt thanks must go to Jim Nugent for the organisation - a terrific feat, well done. Thank you also to the musicians of Evening Shadows and Local Heroes for some truly wonderful music. To the Shadow and ex-Shadows for the good humour they displayed talking to and signing dedications for the fans despite the somewhat claustrophobic atmosphere at times in the room. In particular, from a personal viewpoint, I would like to thank Jet and Bruce especially for the fuss they both made of my daughter making her feel very special.